Top 14 IT Security Trends

The chain of exposures about the National Security Agency and advancements in technology were the major IT events in 2013. Let’s evaluate what’s in store for trend watchers during 2014:

1.Vulnerability of Personal and Commercial Data on the Cloud

Cloud Services have become the most preferred option at personal and professional level for managing data, project plans and fiscal assets. Therefore, we expect endpoints, credentials and wireless devices as potential targets of hacking.

2.Malware gangs may adopt APTs techniques

The success of Advanced Persistent Threats or APTs in conducting attacks for industrial surveillance makes it utterly inspirational for old-school malware gangs. This exploitation is already in vogue and we can see APT techniques borrowed for malware distribution.

3.Java’s Exploitation will Continue

Java will remain the most admired platform to be exploited and also will be highly exploitable with far-reaching consequences.

4.Android Security concerns

Exceptional growth in android malware during 2013 both in number of types and devices affected makes android devices potential targets. A new breed of android security features will emerge but their adoption will be slower. This will make most users vulnerable to standard social engineering assaults.

5.Diversification and Specialization of Malware

Targeted audience will most probably continue to expand malware diversity in 2014 especially for distinguishing between businesses and consumers.

6.Mobile Security will remain a Hot Topic

In 2014, entrepreneurs and users will continue to communicate via newer apps and therefore, the attack surface will resultantly widen. Most specifically, the opportunities for socially engineered cheats and data extraction endeavors will be tremendous.

7.Probing Resistance:

The fight between security vendors and cyber attackers is a never-ending one. Therefore, we expect new tools and weapons to emerge for countering the latest cyber crime mechanisms.

8.Exploit Kits primary threat to Windows

Microsoft has loaded Windows with various technological advancements to raise the bar for attackers. However, now when Windows XP is nearing its expiry date, it will automatically become a potential target. Especially after the arrest of Blackhole author, Redkit, Neutrino and new exploit kits will fight for supremacy.

9.Growth of 64-bit Malware

As computer operating systems are becoming 64-bit increasingly the probability of increase in malware which cannot be run on 32-bit PCs is highly likely.

10.Everything will be Hacked

Although we continue to diversify the devices especially those which contain sensitive data but the fact is ignored that our ecosystem is not as developed for such devices. For criminal-minded cyber attackers embedded devices present in our homes, workplaces and even cities alongwith growing trend of electronic transactions represent attractive targets.

11.Destabilization of Hardware, Software and Infrastructure

Broad-scale spying of the core infrastructure from organizations and governmental agencies remained a dominant norm last year. The revelations were numerous and alarming as well. This year, we can expect to hear many more such stories.

12.CISOs Struggle to Resolve Accountability and Control

2014 will be a pressure year for CISOs. They will have to continue balancing unlimited responsibility for consequences with limited controlling powers. An increasing demand for more transparency and guarantees from cloud service providers will be in vogue from CISOs and CIOs. This will be done to ensure full trust in externally sourced IT services and operations.

13.Threat of the Unforeseen

The most dreadful of all IT security trends predictions for 2014 is that something big, unlikely and unexpected will occur. We cannot predict the activities of extremists and cybercriminals in a real-time world. Therefore, following the data and encouraging trustful relationships and reliable information sharing are our only hopes.

14.Modifications in the International Framework Governing the Internet

Governmental policies all over the world and the economic and cultural changes enabled by the internet are, evidently, incompatible. Therefore, in 2014 some stakeholders will call for a government-oriented model for internet control. This will be an attempt to compromise the borderless and unregulated features of the internet.